About Flagler College
Flagler College transforms a stunning 1888 Gilded Age hotel into classrooms where 2,404 students study liberal arts in America's oldest city. The former Hotel Ponce de León, with its Tiffany stained glass and ornate architecture, creates an atmosphere unlike any other college campus. Students walk through halls where Gilded Age tops once vacationed, now pursuing degrees in education, business, and communications. The 80.95% acceptance rate makes admission accessible for students with SAT scores averaging 1140.
The financial picture tells a mixed story. Students pay an average net price of $29,951 after aid, while typical graduates earn $49,483 ten years later. That creates a reasonable debt-to-income ratio, especially with median debt at $24,250. Monthly loan payments average $257, manageable given the employment rate of 96.3%. Only 28.31% of students receive federal Pell Grants, suggesting the student body skews toward middle and upper-middle class families.
Women make up 67.89% of the student body, creating a female-heavy environment. The Saints compete in 15 NCAA Division II sports with 390 student-athletes. However, the 67.67% retention rate and 55.90% six-year graduation rate suggest some students struggle to complete their degrees in this unique but demanding setting.
The financial picture tells a mixed story. Students pay an average net price of $29,951 after aid, while typical graduates earn $49,483 ten years later. That creates a reasonable debt-to-income ratio, especially with median debt at $24,250. Monthly loan payments average $257, manageable given the employment rate of 96.3%. Only 28.31% of students receive federal Pell Grants, suggesting the student body skews toward middle and upper-middle class families.
Women make up 67.89% of the student body, creating a female-heavy environment. The Saints compete in 15 NCAA Division II sports with 390 student-athletes. However, the 67.67% retention rate and 55.90% six-year graduation rate suggest some students struggle to complete their degrees in this unique but demanding setting.
Academics & Faculty
Flagler College operates as a liberal arts institution where students explore broad-based education across disciplines rather than narrow specialization. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio creates smaller classes where professors know students personally. However, only 56% of students graduate within four years, suggesting some struggle with the academic demands or find their path elsewhere. The college has built a strong reputation for its education and business programs, which attract many students to the historic Saint Augustine campus. Communications and graphic design also draw students who want hands-on experience in creative fields. The liberal arts approach means students take courses across humanities, sciences, and arts before choosing a major.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 85.0%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 56.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 55.9%
- Retention Rate
- 67.7%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $49,483
- Carnegie Classification
- Baccalaureate College
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Economics. | Bachelor | $52,107 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $43,128 |
| Public Administration. | Bachelor | $41,007 |
| Education, General. | Bachelor | $37,054 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $37,054 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $36,452 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $34,526 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $32,925 |
| Criminology. | Bachelor | $28,019 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $25,774 |
Campus Life
Saint Augustine's cobblestone streets and historic architecture create a unique college backdrop where 52% of Flagler's 2,404 students live on campus in the iconic Ponce de León Hotel building. The campus sits 40 miles south of Jacksonville in America's oldest city, where winter temperatures rarely drop below 50 degrees and students need sunscreen more than heavy coats. With a 67.89% female student body, the social scene centers around the small-town charm of Saint Augustine's cafes, art galleries, and ghost tours.
Weekend life revolves around exploring the city's 450-year history or heading to nearby beaches. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students by name in this close-knit environment. Saints athletics compete in NCAA Division II with 390 student-athletes across 15 sports, though the real draw is living and studying in a National Historic Landmark. Students often describe the experience as attending college in a museum, where Spanish colonial architecture and Gilded Age grandeur create an atmosphere unlike any other campus in America.
Weekend life revolves around exploring the city's 450-year history or heading to nearby beaches. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students by name in this close-knit environment. Saints athletics compete in NCAA Division II with 390 student-athletes across 15 sports, though the real draw is living and studying in a National Historic Landmark. Students often describe the experience as attending college in a museum, where Spanish colonial architecture and Gilded Age grandeur create an atmosphere unlike any other campus in America.
- Setting
- Suburb-Small
- Housing Capacity
- 1,250 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
Campus Safety (2023)
53 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burglary | 10 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Stalking | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Dating Violence | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arson | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Domestic Violence | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 47°–67°F
- July Avg
- 73°–91°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 50.6"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
Flagler attracts students who want the charm of studying in America's oldest city combined with small college intimacy. Women make up about two-thirds of the student body, reflecting the college's strong programs in education, liberal arts, and communications. The school draws evenly from Florida and beyond, suggesting solid regional appeal without becoming overly insular. Nearly 30% receive Pell Grants, indicating Flagler serves middle-class families seeking an affordable private education. Students choose Flagler for its unique setting in the historic Ponce de León Hotel and personalized attention in a close-knit academic community.
- Men
- 32.1%
- Women
- 67.9%
- White
- 72.4%
- Black
- 3.0%
- Hispanic
- 13.4%
- Asian
- 1.0%
- In-State Students
- 56.1%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 28.3%
Location
Flagler College sits in Saint Augustine, Florida, America's oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement. The campus lies about 40 miles south of Jacksonville, the state's largest city. Saint Augustine draws over six million tourists annually to its cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial architecture. The Atlantic Ocean beaches stretch just minutes from campus. Students live and study amid 450 years of history in a city that feels more like a European village than typical Florida. The historic district's narrow streets, horse-drawn carriages, and fortress walls create an atmosphere unlike any other college town in America. Students considering colleges in Florida may also compare Flagler College with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Saint Augustine, Florida 32084
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $49,483
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $47,403
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $34,900
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 59.1%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $257/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $24,250
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Flagler College?
Flagler College accepts 80.95% of applicants with an average SAT score of 1140. The school attracts students who want a small liberal arts education in the historic setting of America's oldest city.
How much does Flagler College cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Flagler College is $29,951, though families earning under $30,000 pay around $22,668. With 30.53% of students receiving institutional grants averaging $11,870, the college works to make its unique historic campus accessible.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Flagler College?
Flagler College maintains a 16:1 student-faculty ratio with 2,404 total students. This small liberal arts environment allows for close mentoring relationships in the intimate setting of a converted Gilded Age hotel.
What are the employment outcomes at Flagler College?
Flagler College graduates have a 96.3% employment rate with median earnings of $49,483 ten years after graduation. However, the 55.90% six-year graduation rate suggests that the historic charm and small-town setting may not suit every student.
Where is Flagler College located and what is campus life like?
Flagler College sits in Saint Augustine, Florida, with housing capacity for 1,250 students and 67.89% female enrollment. The campus centers around the stunning former Ponce de Leon Hotel, creating an unmatched collegiate atmosphere steeped in American history.
Does Flagler College have strong athletics programs?
Flagler College competes in NCAA Division II with 15 varsity sports and 390 total athletes. The Saints compete in the Peach Belt Conference with $4.4 million in athletic scholarships, building community spirit around their historic campus.
